Aladdin

It is always a lovely visit to the Memorial Hall in Amlwch to watch the latest pantomime from the ever-entertaining Showstoppers. A show that always delivers laughs and good audience participation.

Lighting and costumes were top notch and helped deliver a wonderful stage setting, one or two sound hiccups with mics not working but this did not distract from the excellent show.

It is always pleasing to see how much fun the actors have on stage in this group and as it is panto, they have a licence to be loose with the script and as lib with audience interaction. Not many group does this better that Amlwch Showstoppers.

The main cast consisted of Gabi Purton as Aladdin and she gave a commanding performance with good voice projection, and was excellent in all her musical numbers. It is great to see the younger members of the group stay on year after year and progress from background chorus characters to main roles, Gabi is a prime example.

Harriet Thompson as Princess Jasmine is another long-standing member, who has progressed into a leading role and delivered a fantastic performance, helping Aladdin, and put her overbearing parents The Emperor and Empress in check.  Rachel Jones as the evil Abanazar stole the show with a great performance. She excels playing villains, and every time she came on stage, she had so much fun, energy and charisma, always encouraging others on stage. Gabbey Williams and Ruth Statham were both solid in their roles as Tai and Chi. Zoe Thompson and Daniel Jones brought comedy as Sergeant Ping and PC Pong, Daniel battling his way through losing his voice during the show and carrying on like a trouper. This was the source of one or two ad libs later that made me chuckle.

Eden Jones gave a fantastic performance as Nobby the Silent Panda. Eirlys Walker and Olwen Jones brought Wishee and Washee to life whilst Jason Walker and Jess Greenall commanded the stage as Emperor and Empress. Gareth O’Reilly was a fantastic Widow Twankey, who had the most fun ad- libbing with the audience. Alexa Bate as The Royal Vizir, Kirsty Edwards as The Genie of the Lamp, Ellie-May Cowell as Jinn, together with Katrina Purton as Genie of the Ring and Sydney O’Reilly as Siri completed the cast, all giving creditable performances.

A lovely afternoon watching a talented cast who always have a ‘blast’ on stage. It was great to be invited and I look forward to next year’s show.

This is the opinion of the Reviewer.   

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.